Last night I went to put new shoes on the rear brakes of my 90 Tracker.  They went on easily, but when I went to put the drum back in it wouldn't go on.  I adjusted the crossbar between the pads that has the adjuster on it to the minimum position but still no go.  Also when I use the parking brake it doesn't really slow the truck down much.  I'm thinking that the parking brake is remaining partially engaged and because of that the adjuster bar isn't as short as it should be.  I ended up using a new and an old shoe.  That allowed me to get the drum back on.  When I drove it it drove normal, but I wonder if I am getting much braking power from the rear.  Does anyone know how to adjust the parking brake?  Has anyone experienced anything like this when replacing the rear shoes?

Parking brake adjuster is accessed frim inside the cab, its under the carpet just behind the lever, you'll have to take off the trim. There are two different sizes of shoes, make sure you're not trying to fit the slightly larger shoes on the smaller back plate. Otherwise only problem I have had has been centralising the shoes to get the drum back. On problems now I have rear discs!

If I hold a new shoe and an old one together will I see a difference if the new shoes are the larger size?

Yes, if put one on top of the other you will see the difference.

The new ones are the same as the old.  When you look at where the crossbar goes around the shoe and the emergency brake arm the brake arm sits 1/8 inch in front of the shoe.  Im thinking the angle of the emergency brake arm is wrong and that both pieces should be flush.  Thats why I suspect the brake is not releasing entirely.

The new ones are the same as the old.  When you look at where the crossbar goes around the shoe and the emergency brake arm the brake arm sits 1/8 inch in front of the shoe.  Im thinking the angle of the emergency brake arm is wrong and that both pieces should be flush.

i am not sure that matters.... i had this same problem last year with my 90.  mostly on the pass side.  make sure the notched adjuster is turned in to allow the breaks to be closer together and make sure the top cylinder is compressed on both ends.  that was the prob i had (cyl)  compress it at both ends and hurry and put the drum on.  hope that helps :-/

the only problem i had was my friend stepped on the brakes lol

then i had to figure out how to undo it